Detroit City Wire

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) made a significant mark in Detroit as Little Caesars Arena hosted the eighth stop of the PWHL Takeover Tour. The event drew 14,228 fans, setting a new attendance record for a professional women's hockey game in the United States. Fans witnessed the New York Sirens triumph over the Minnesota Frost with a score of 4-1.

Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President of Business Operations, expressed her gratitude towards the Red Wings for their support. "We’re proud to spend a big night in Detroit with the Red Wings, who have been so good to us and treat us with class from the beginning to the end," she stated.

The league also celebrated surpassing one million fans in attendance since its inaugural 2024 season. During a special timeout in the first period, players from both teams distributed commemorative pucks to fans.

Previously, Little Caesars Arena held the U.S. attendance record for women's hockey when 13,736 fans attended a game between Boston Fleet and Ottawa Charge on March 16, 2024. This record was later broken on January 12 at Ball Arena during a match between Minnesota Frost and Montreal Victoire with an audience of 14,018.

Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, commented on Detroit's consistent support: “After being here and seeing what Detroit did last year... we anticipated this could have been a record [on Sunday].”

Sunday's game featured several Michigan natives including Mellissa Channell-Watkins from Plymouth and Sirens forwards Elle Hartje from Detroit, Taylor Girard from Macomb, and Abby Roque from Sault Ste. Marie. Minnesota assistant coach Josh Sciba hails from Westland.

Channell-Watkins described playing at Little Caesars Arena as fulfilling a dream despite it not being Joe Louis Arena: “Everybody here has been so welcoming... now they can see it and know they have something to look forward to in their future.”

Roque shared her personal connection to the venue: “I knew the equipment manager for the Red Wings really well... Now you’re playing in the same building the Red Wings do.”

Sciba highlighted Detroit's enthusiasm for hockey: “You look at the crowd out there; I think it speaks volumes to what hockey means to Hockeytown.”

The success of these events has led to speculation about expanding into Detroit permanently. Scheer acknowledged this possibility: “Detroit has been wonderful for us... We love playing here."